Joe Girardi was named manager on Oct. 30, 2007, agreeing to a three-year deal worth approximately $7.5 million. The deal reportedly includes bonuses based on how far the team advances in the postseason.
Girardi was the 2006 NL Manager of the Year with the Florida Marlins. He becomes the 17th Yankees manager to have played for the club and the fourth former Yankees catcher to skipper the team.
In 15 major league seasons as a catcher, Girardi played for the Chicago Cubs, Colorado Rockies, Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals.
A native of Peoria, Ill., Girardi was a three-time academic All-American and two-time All-Big Ten selection at Northwestern University, graduating with a degree in industrial engineering in 1986.